Sponge grew out of a Detroit-based hard rock act called Loudhouse, which released an album on the Virgin label in 1988 before losing its record contract and disbanding shortly thereafter. Drummer-turned-vocalist Vinnie Dombrowski (born Mark Dombrowski) and guitarists Mike Cross and Joey Mazzola regrouped as Sponge in 1992, adding Mike's brother Tim Cross on bass and Jimmy Paluzzi on drums. Adapting their '70s hard rock influences to fit the grunge zeitgeist, the bandmates earned a major-label deal with Columbia and released their debut album, Rotting Pinata, in late 1994.
Initially, critics compared Sponge to Stone Temple Pilots, but alternative radio embraced the band's first two singles: the driving rocker "Plowed" and the jangly, introspective "Molly (Sixteen Candles)." A third single, "Rainin'," also earned airplay, and Rotting Pinata went gold; meanwhile, Sponge went on tour as Live's opening act. With new drummer Charlie Grover in tow, their 1996 follow-up album, Wax Ecstatic, was a more diverse affair, rediscovering some of the band's roots in arena rock, British glam, and jangle pop. Even though singles like "Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)," "I Am Anastasia," and "Have You Seen Mary" enjoyed radio airplay, Columbia was dissatisfied with the sales figures and dropped Sponge once the album left the charts.
Undaunted, Sponge signed a new deal with the Beyond label, which released the more classicist New Pop Sunday in 1999. It attracted little commercial attention, and more personnel shifts ensued. Tired of touring, the Cross brothers both left and were replaced by guitarist Kurt Marschke and bassist Tim Krukowski; Billy Adams also came on board as the new drummer. After several years of recharging -- during which time Dombrowski played in several Detroit-area side projects -- Sponge returned with For All the Drugs in the World in 2003 and The Man in 2005. Dombrowski reworked the lineup once again, this time adding guitarists Kyle Neely and Andy Patalan, before returning again to the studio in 2007 to record Galore Galore for Bellum Records.
Two years later, there was another lineup shift -- Tim Patalan became the group's bassist -- and they released an EP called Destroy the Boy. A full-length called Stop the Bleeding arrived four years later on Three One Three Records; the LP contained all of the 2009 EP plus new songs, including a twisted cover of Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle." In 2017, the band partnered with Michigan Brewers and PledgeMusic for their eighth full-length outing, The Beer Sessions, which Dombrowski called "a celebration of independent music and incredible Michigan beer." In 2021 the band issued their ninth full-length effort, Lavatorium, which included the fiery single "Stitch," the well-timed ballad "Socially Distant," and an all-new recording of their signature hit "Plowed." Original guitarist Mike Cross died on March 6, 2022 at the age of 57.
Biography by Steve Huey
There are other artists with the same name:
ii) Sponge is also a 90's Japanese noise supergroup. Though the members are credited anonymously, the group reportedly includes:
Jojo Hiroshige (of Hijokaidan)
Junko Hiroshige (also of Hijokaidan)
Masami Akita (better known as Merzbow)
Yamazaki Takushi (better known as Masonna)
The Japanese Sponge have released at least two official albums, a 7" and a CD on T.E.C. Tones.
iii) Alias for James Hoyte, owner of the drum n bass label IQ Records. He has released one 12" record, The Crash, on Suburban Base Records in 1994.
Back Against the Wall
Sponge Lyrics
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That's bitter sweet that long ago was taken from the vine
This beggar's heart of mine, it ain't got any pride
So it lays me down on my knees to pray
One day it will guide my way
A fool will pay the price to play, I know
So now I'll sit and drink
Maybe tomorrow
I will know my fate
For now I'll sit and wait
Maybe tomorrow
This forgotten heart of mine blocks out all the stars that shine
That heaven sent to the hell bent could not make me feel high
This lover's heart of mine, music of a divine
Caress on distant shores that I long to
Go and find someday if my heart guides my way
A fool will pay the price to play, I know
Now I'm back against the wall
So now I'll sit and drink
Maybe tomorrow
I will know my fate
For now I'll sit and wait
Maybe tomorrow
That I'm back against the wall
So now I'll sit and drink
Uh, maybe tomorrow
I will know my fate
For now I'll sit and wait
Maybe tomorrow (x4)
In Sponge's song "Back Against the Wall," the lyrics reflect the emotional turmoil of someone who feels trapped and defeated. The opening lines describe a heart that knows the taste of bittersweet wine that was taken long ago from the vine. This metaphor suggests a sense of loss and longing. The subsequent lines describe the singer's heart as that of a beggar, lacking any pride, which makes them fall to their knees in prayer, hoping that one day their heart will guide them. This alludes to a sense of desperation and vulnerability to whatever path their heart may lead them on.
The second verse presents another metaphorical description of the heart as a forgotten one, blocking out all the shining stars that should have made the singer feel high. The use of the metaphor suggests that the singer is missing out on something essential that could make their life better. The lover's heart of the singer, portrayed as music of the divine, longs for distant shores, which the singer hopes to find someday, with their heart being their guide. Again, there is a mix of longing and desperation in these lines.
The chorus, "Now I'm back against the wall, so now I'll sit and drink. Maybe tomorrow, I will know my fate. For now, I'll sit and wait. Maybe tomorrow," repeats a sense of defeat and helplessness. The singer feels stuck with no clear direction, and all they can do is wait for something to change. With each repetition of the chorus and the closing line of "Maybe tomorrow," there is a sense of uncertainty, a feeling of being lost and uncertain about the future.
Line by Line Meaning
This drunken heart of mine knows the taste of a wine
That's bitter sweet that long ago was taken from the vine
My heart, consumed by alcohol, has experienced the mixed emotions of a wine that was harvested long ago and its sweet yet bitter aftertaste.
This beggar's heart of mine, it ain't got any pride
So it lays me down on my knees to pray
One day it will guide my way
A fool will pay the price to play, I know
Although my heart lacks pride, I still believe it will lead me in the right direction and I am willing to pay the consequences of my actions.
This forgotten heart of mine blocks out all the stars that shine
That heaven sent to the hell bent could not make me feel high
This lover's heart of mine, music of a divine
Caress on distant shores that I long to
Go and find someday if my heart guides my way
A fool will pay the price to play, I know
My heart has been so neglected that it no longer responds to the beauty around me. Yet, it still yearns for the love and music that can only be found on distant shores, and I am willing to take a risk to find it.
Now I'm back against the wall
So now I'll sit and drink
Maybe tomorrow
I will know my fate
For now I'll sit and wait
Maybe tomorrow
With no other options left, I resort to drinking and waiting for fate to guide me towards a better tomorrow.
That I'm back against the wall
So now I'll sit and drink
Uh, maybe tomorrow
I will know my fate
For now I'll sit and wait
Maybe tomorrow (x4)
Repeating that I am stuck in a difficult situation and can only sit and drink, hoping that tomorrow will bring clarity and a resolution to my problems.
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.